Iraqi forces repel an attack on Hamrin, Diyala province. IS with the help of Sunni locals have captured large swaths of the countries Sunni regions as the army collapsed and the Sunni police and army defected away from the government forces. Since then, the Islamic state has stopped advancing as it reached closer to Shia dominated areas. The government forces are currently creating and defending a buffer zone which includes nearly half of the Sunni province of Sallahiddin and 80% of the mixed province of Diyala. So far IS attacks to take these buffer zones have largely failed and are resulting in mass casualties for IS. Attacks and assassinations against Iraqi army checkpoints have also decreased dramatically as the battle takes a more conventional stand.

This video shows Iraqi army soldiers in Hamrin, Diyala province, shooting at advancing IS fighters. The Iraqi army seems to be in a chaotic mood, with unorganized positions, too many soldiers in one area. Fortunately no RPG or guided missiles were fired at them, preventing mass casualties.

Voices from the video clarify that the IS fighters could be seen getting killed by the Iraqi army, with the soldiers cheering and screaming while they kill IS fighters. Nearly 40 IS militants were killed in this failed attack. Note there are also other soldiers positioned in others houses in the area.